Cotabato City: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday called for additional security measures to put an end to election-related violence in the Maguindanao provinces ahead of this year’s midterm polls. This is in the wake of several gun-related incidents in Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and other areas in the past weeks, which security experts said could be part of intimidation and other attempts to control election results.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marbil emphasized the necessity of not only security interventions but also other strategies, such as a peace covenant among local candidates, to preserve peace and order in these areas. During the Political Candidates Forum and Peace Covenant Signing at the 6th Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Awang, Cotabato City, he stated, “The peace covenant is more than just a symbolic gesture – it is a solemn commitment to the Filipino people. The PNP will relentlessly pursue those who resort to violence and intimidation to manipulate elections. We will protect democracy, ensuring that leaders are chosen through ballots, not bullets.”
Marbil further stressed the importance of integrity in elections, saying, “The people deserve a Bagong Pilipinas where leaders are chosen through integrity, not fear. The PNP will not waver in its duty to uphold democracy and protect the people’s right to free and fair elections.”
The forum, themed ‘Safe and Peaceful Elections in Maguindanao: Secure and Fair Elections Promoting Equality, Accountability, Cooperation, Empowerment for Unity, and Lasting Peace,’ aimed at fostering unity among political aspirants and community leaders. It reinforced their shared commitment to peace and the rule of law.
Marbil noted that the peace covenant signing was a collective pledge by candidates to respect election results, maintain peace, and reject the use of force or threats against political rivals. “This initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to dismantle the deeply rooted culture of election-related violence in the region,” he added.
